Swindon Trades Council and Swindon People’s Assembly will be picketing Wharf Green McDonalds between 6-7.30pm tomorrow evening as part of Heart Unions week of action.
The local picket is part of a nationwide week of action to coincide with the TUC ‘Heart Unions’ week.
McDonalds has been chosen as a focus of nationwide pickets to show support for workers and their union, BFAWU (Baker’s, Food and Allied Workers Union).
Last year, McDonalds workers in 2 restaurants took part in a historic strike, the first ever strike of McDonalds staff in the UK. Staff were calling for a £10p/h minimum wage, an end to zero hour contracts and union recognition.
While McDonalds responded with a slight pay increase, they have still not met the wage being asked for by workers or agreed to recognise the staff union.
Nikki Dancey, President of Swindon Trades Council said, “Fast food workers are some of the most underpaid, poorly treated and undervalued workers in modern society. They typically have precarious contracts and are subject to dangerous and stressful working conditions in exchange for poor pay and employee benefits. We are proud to be standing in solidarity with McDonalds workers demanding dignity at work.”
Jon Timbrell, Campaigns officer for Swindon Trades Council said, “Our picket is part of a nationwide day of action, with dozens of McDonalds restaurants being picketed across the country. Every worker has a right to join a trade union, and usually sees an improvement in working condition when they belong to a unionised workforce. We are calling on McDonalds to recognise the BFAWU union and show a genuine commitment to the well being of their staff. At the picket, we will be talking with members of the public and McDonalds workers to highlight the great work the union and it’s member’s have been doing and encourage everyone to support them.”
